Ferrell gets 7 years, 11 months minimum in Quincy school case

Tuesday

Jason Ferrell, 44, will serve a minimum of seven years, 11 months to 15 years in prison, after he pleaded no contest to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

COLDWATER — Jason Ferrell, 44, will serve a minimum of seven years, 11 months to 15 years in prison, after he pleaded no contest to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

“This case is very shocking,” Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady told the former Quincy High School drama mentor and school technology director. “This shows what one selfish person can do a community, a work place, to the victim herself, her family.

“The selfish act of one person can cause an incredible amount of immeasurable pain,” he added.

The now 17-year-old female victim made an impassioned victim impact statement to the courtroom, which was filled with a large group of Quincy residents who fought to bring the Ferrell case to light after years of rumors about Ferrell and inaction by school officials.

“I intend to press on until everyone gets what they deserve,” the victim promised.

The victim said Ferrell guilted and psychologically manipulated her to keep the secret of their sexual liaisons.

“As it turned out, my school officials did that for me,” she said. “My parents could only do so much, because Quincy school administrators did as much as they could to protect my predator and keep my parents uniformed and uninvolved.”

The girl said it was not until her parents transferred her to a new school that she felt comfortable enough to speak about what happened.

She said Ferrell “groomed me, used me, betrayed me as much as any human being.”

She said he stalked her and isolated her, becoming jealous of her even talking to male students. As school technology director, she said he spied on her using school cameras.

“Not only did you use your position of authority to chose your victim, but you used the technology of the system to monitor and stalk,” the judge said to Ferrell. “A very predatory type behavior.”

“I know there are others out there that share the same abuser who are not yet able to come forth,” the victim said.

Some have come forward going back 20 years in his career.

“(I am) no longer a naive, fooled, deceived brainwashed little girl that I once was,” the victim said. “I know who my abuser is and exactly what he did to me.”

The girl said that she had to work hard in therapy to be able to say that she was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

Quoting a victim in the recent case of Michigan State University’s Dr. Larry Nasser, she said, “Little girls grow up to be strong women.”

The abuse by Ferrell came to light when some students and staff raised questions about the relationship between Ferrell and the female student in the spring of 2016. Ferrell was told by school staff in the fall of 2016 to limit his contact with the girl.

After reports were made to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began in January 2017 and Ferrell resigned.

The victim was emotionally distraught and did not talk to investigators. She then prepared a 14-page typed statement that detailed her relationship with Ferrell and their sexual intimacies. A medical exam also confirmed sexual encounters. Also attached was a DNA test from evidence found in Ferrell’s vehicle, which was seized when he was arrested at his home near Marshall in April 2017.

Branch County Prosecutor Ralph Kimble said the plea offer was made after it became apparent that the more serious charges took place outside of Branch County. The offer was also made because the victim had indicated she wanted to avoid a trial.

Ferrell still faces CSC charges in Calhoun County.

The victim admitted she can only look back and wonder what happened.

“I do not understand how I could be so deceived,” she said.

Asked by Judge O’Grady for his comment, Ferrell said “I choose not to say anything.”

He will get credit for 285 days already served.

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